ASSEMBLY-ELECTION
Delhi’s ‘freebie’ anchored political campaigns pose fundamental questions
‘Freebies’ are a counter to the conventional mobilization around caste blocs, which upended national politics after the release of Mandal Commission report. However, freebies raise questions about fiscal sustainability and the trade-offs involved for economic performance. As Delhi continues to set a precedent, the debate over the merits and demerits of freebies versus caste politics is likely to shape the future of Indian democracy
BUSINESS
Ram Mandir will transform India into the manifestation of Ram Rajya
India is continuously evolving, working towards realising the true essence of Ram Rajya. Ram Mandir represents a tangible embodiment of the concept of Ram Rajya, serving as a perpetual reminder for governments and rulers to aspire toward achieving the ideals of justice and fairness.
ASSEMBLY-ELECTIONS
BJP’s poll strategy in MP offers a compelling case study to the Opposition
BJP went into the Madhya Pradesh elections on a difficult footing, having to answer for 18 years of governance of the state. But what sets BJP apart is its elaborate training for workers, strategies for the long-term, mid-term and last lap crisis management, and most importantly PM Modi's unwavering trust in his party members
BUSINESS
Cooperatives: A scam-ridden cooperative ‘bank’ in Kerala and the state government’s proposed ‘bailout’ is undermining public trust
Bailing out banks with taxpayers’ money is acceptable up to a point when failures happen after adverse economic or business circumstances or to avert a larger systemic collapse. But when ‘bailouts’ attempt to mollify public anger over malfeasance, it becomes a perverse incentive, especially when those piloting the escape route are themselves in the dock
POLITICS
Transition from old to new Parliament building marks growth of a democracy on the cusp of global leadership
The Old Parliament building has stood witness to India's transformation from a mere political concept into a tangible and formidable nation, with all its grandeur and strength. The members who will sit in the new Parliament building have the responsibility to take India to greater heights
BUSINESS
Panel evaluating One Nation, One Election proposal shouldn’t be guided by political calculations
The One Nation, One Election concept seeks to address the huge costs in terms of finances, administrative effort and policy disruption caused by frequent elections. But issues like a state or central government losing its majority midway through its term need to be studied by Parliament threadbare
BUSINESS
Kerala Higher Education: The decline from meritocracy to mediocrity could soon become irreversible
For a year now, Kerala’s higher education sector has been witness to one distasteful controversy after another over the politicisation of colleges and universities. As standards slip and those with proximity to the ruling establishment corner untoward benefits, there is a flight of youth from the state, taking away with them precious human capital that an ageing society cannot afford to lose
POLITICS
New Parliament Building: Opposition boycott signals collective departure from democratic values
The Opposition’s churlish boycott of the inauguration of the new Parliament building is on very weak ground. What should have been a great moment for India’s democracy and history in the making has been sullied
ASSEMBLY-ELECTIONS
Stalled in the South: Karnataka warns BJP that one engine alone cannot go the distance
To use Karnataka as a gateway to make further inroads down South, the state BJP had to deliver on politics and governance. But its governments in Karnataka since 2008 have been discredited and Hindutva has found few takers. “Double-engine” campaigns succeeded in UP and Gujarat because the Centre and state worked in lockstep
BUSINESS
PM Modi’s Kerala Visit: BJP playing ball with Christians is a win-win game
PM Modi’s visit to Kerala was a grand visual spectacle, which has set the ball rolling for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Expect the BJP to go full blast in wooing the Christian community and promising development while its rivals Congress and CPI(M) will go the whole hog in highlighting the party’s Hindutva agenda
BUSINESS
Chief Minister vs Governor | Ordinance threatens future of higher education in Kerala
The removal of the Governor as Chancellor will allow the Kerala government to make universities the haven of political appointees, trickling down from the Chancellor’s post
POLITICS
Politics | What ban on Popular Front of India means to Kerala’s politics
It will be dangerous if Kerala’s mainstream political parties continue their soft approach towards the banned PFI
BUSINESS
What reinstating Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s legacy means to India
In many ways, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is the architect of modern India, who was far ahead of his times and contemporaries
BUSINESS
Kerala | LDF’s politicisation puts higher education on a lower pedestal
While it is not the purpose of a university to create average students, how can one expect faculty members who sneaked in through the backdoor to mentor students to excel in their disciplines?
BUSINESS
CPI(M) in Kerala | On a spiral downwards like in West Bengal, Tripura
The CPI(M) in Kerala is drifting away from both the people and its principles, like how it did in other states, and shrank into oblivion
BUSINESS
K-Rail Protest | What entitles Kerala government to lay survey stones it asks people to not grub up?
Much to the displeasure across Kerala, the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government chose to skip a few steps laid out in the LARR Act to fulfil its ambitious semi-high speed rail project
POLITICS
Pension Row | Should Kerala provide for its politicians?
Kerala has a flawed pension scheme for the personal staff of ministers. These staff need to complete only a little over two years in service to become eligible for a minimum government pension
BUSINESS
Why Kerala is a pariah state for investors
The general attitude in Kerala towards an investor is hostile; they are seen as exploiters. This needs to change if the state needs to attract investors
